Choosing the right education for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.

As parents, carers, or grandparents you have a choice - and the right - to offer your child the best education available.

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle proudly hosts some of the best schools in Newcastle, Maitland, the Hunter and Upper Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Manning regions.

Catholic schools offer a unique educational experience which forms the child or young person as a person of integrity, compassion, faith and wisdom. Catholic schools also work closely with their local parish to enhance in students a capacity to make sense of their world, to make judgements and to recognise the uniqueness of others within a faith community.

Each school has a supportive community of teachers, parents, carers, P&F committees, clergy, parishioners, and support staff who work together to focus on students; encouraging success, promoting discipline, supporting creativity and instilling compassion. This means that Catholic schools don’t just teach religious studies, they seek to develop spirit, mind, body and character and cultivate Gospel values that support lives filled with joy, endeavour and hope in the future.

Each Catholic school has a commitment to focusing on each individual child’s ability, offering a unique array of educational, creative, sporting and formation opportunities for students.

Finally, Catholic schools offer peace of mind to parents; knowing they’ve made the right choice and the best investment for their child’s future. It is because of this and the many opportunities available to students that we believe choosing a Catholic education, is the right choice to make.

Why Families Choose Holy Family

OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach, offers families a supportive, caring and nurturing environment for their children to achieve academically and grow spiritually from Kindergarten to Year 6. Our school has a proud history of excellence and achievement in academic, sporting, cultural and environmental pursuits since 1956. Holy Family offers a high quality education, supported by modern facilities and creative learning environments.

Our school community reflects our core values of care, courtesy, responsibility and respect. Teachers, parents, carers, parishioners and support staff work together to educate and nurture our students to help them achieve their full potential. If you want your child to experience a quality education in a family environment, Holy Family is the place for you!

WE OFFER QUALITY INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

Holy Family provides a quality educational environment that fosters the individual needs of each child. Highly professional and qualified teaching staff ensure the best possible outcomes for students in all domains – academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical. Holy Family prides itself on excellent academic achievement and student growth in all key learning areas including NAPLAN literacy and numeracy. Teaching staff undertake regular professional development that enables up-to-date pedagogical knowledge and practice for the benefit of our students. Quality education is provided to students by innovative and committed educators at Holy Family. Our teachers provide students with rich, engaging and well-structured learning experiences. Holy Family provides a variety of integrated programs including:

• Personal development and physical education
• Leadership development for senior students
• Kindergarten buddy program
• Learning support and special needs services
• Representative sport
• Mini Vinnies group
• Community projects
• Debating & public speaking
• Positive behaviour & welfare program
• You Can Do It and Seasons for Growth program
• Parent assisted learning programs
• Environmental programs.

MODERN FACILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY

Holy Family is a modern and engaging educational environment that offers numerous resources for learning in a 21st century setting. Access to SMART Boards, iPads, laptops and computers in every classroom, a new well-resourced library, administration building and multi-purpose hall, provide a stimulating and adaptable learning environment for all students. A new outdoor play space has also been created for students to explore, discover and connect with nature using imaginative play as part of the Early Learning Framework. Our Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is an educational facility that integrates learning across the curriculum. Students have the opportunity to spend structured time in a productive vegetable garden, learn valuable skills and experience food production hands-on.

WE FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

At Holy Family, we have a strong focus on integrating environmental programs into the school curriculum. We have developed a Regional Sustainable Learning Centre where environmental education programs are facilitated for students and teachers for all schools in the area. Holy Family has a designated wetlands area as well as vegetable gardens, free-range chickens, compost bins and recycling facilities. We value our play space and ensure that we take ownership of the beautiful surroundings of our school. We are fortunate to have the ocean at our doorstep and the many activities that this brings. We can play in the sand, observe the delicate coastal topography, observe the many sea creatures that inhabit the waterways and rock pools and marvel at the beauty of the coastline. We use the ocean to paint, draw and create sand sculptures. Above all, we’re blessed with clean air and ocean breezes. Holy Family has been selected as a school of excellence through the Australian Government’s National Partnership initiative.

STRONG FOCUS ON EARLY LEARNING

Holy Family have enthusiastically embraced the Early Learning Framework taking on several initiatives that enhance the first year of Kindergarten. Our Kindergarten classroom reflects the pedagogy underlying play-based learning that features open-ended tasks, self-directed activities and age appropriate games. Neutral colours and natural products feature throughout our school environment, ensuring maximum creativity and avenues for developing self-reliance, imagination and exciting learning. A designated outdoor learning space has been created using recycled materials, lots of sand play, a dry creek bed, mud kitchen, wooden stage and sandstone blocks. This encourages students to problem solve, collaborate, take risks, make decisions, socialise and truly connect to nature.

WE PROVIDE OOSH - CHILDCARE

Holy Family has an onsite OOSH facility offering quality before and after school care for up to 45 students per day. A former classroom has been refurbished as a result of a Federal Government Grant giving students a wonderful space to play, enjoy structured craft activities, quiet reading areas and games. Working parents have appreciated this invaluable facility in the knowledge their children are well cared for, supervised at all times and have the opportunity to meet and make new friends.